Means for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit



NOV. 26, 1940. REGESTER 2,222,595

MEANS FOR DISPOSING VARIABLE INFLOW LIQUID FROM A CONDUIT 3 Sheets-Shet5 Filed Dec. 22, 1939 IIIIIIIIIIII'IIIIIIII/I ROBERT T. REGESTER Sitemm;

Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR DISPOSINGVARIABLE INFLOW LIQUID FROM A CONDUIT Application December 22, 1939,Serial No. 310,624

13 Claims.

This invention relates to method and means for pumping and disposingliquid of variable rate of inflow from a conduit or channel, and hasparticular application to the pumping and disposal of the storm waterfrom sewers during and immediately after periods of rainfall, to thepumping and disposal of the sewage and wastes from sewers during normaldaily usage, to the pumping and disposal of the water from conduits orchannels for irrigation purposes, to the pumping and disposal of liquidsfrom industrial processes or sources during normal plant operation, tothe pumping and disposal of drainage liquid from the drains in buildingsor factories, and to the pumping and disposal of bilge water from thebilges of ships.

The methods and means heretofore employed for these purposes have beenfound disadvantageous. Some of the objections are:

(1) The inadequate flexibility of the number and individual capacitiesof pumps for proper and economical operation under the variations ofrate of inflow of liquid to the pumping station.

(2) Frequent starting and stopping of pumping units, particularly duringthe relatively short critical intervals of time when the capacity of thepumping unit in operation is reached and the pumping must be augmentedby starting and operating another pumping unit.

(3) The requirement of an undesirable amount of manual regulation or ofelaborate automatic control to maintain the discharge equal to the rateof inflow.

(4) The requirement of an inconvenient timing in pump operation.

(5) The need for reservoirs to provide equalizing storage and toeliminate Surges in the conduit or channel when the pumpagesubstantially exceeds the inflow, or vice .versa.

The above disadvantages may be seen from the following customaryoperations at prior stations or installations.

Since conditions of low flow rate into the station exist moreprevalently than conditions of high flow rate, it is desirable to haveat these pumping stations a small pump to take care of the low flowrates. To avoid frequent starting and stopping of such small pump,occasioned by an abrupt fall in the water level of its well due totemporary excess discharge through the pump above inflow to its well,this small pump should be a variable unit, generally a variable speedunit. Such variable unit requires continuous regulation as pumpageincreases from minimum to full capacity of the pump. For example, if thepump unit next to go into action, when the rate of inflow has increasedto the full capacity of the variable speed unit, is one of constantcapacity and equal to the maximum capacity of the variable capacitypump, the instant the second unit goes into action, it will handle allof the inflow of water and there will be no work for the unit ofvariable capacity until the rate of inflow increases. The variablecapacity unit will, therefore, go out of operation until the rate ofinflow exceeds the output of the second unit. When, however, the rate ofinflow exceeds the capacity of the second pump unit, the variable unitis started and regulated to meet the continued rise of inflow until thefull capacities of both pump units are reached, at which time a thirdpumping unit must go into operation.

If this third pump unit is also a constant capacity unit and of the samecapacity as the second unit, just as soon as the third unit goes intooperation the combined pumpage of the second and third units willtemporarily take care of the inflow of water and the variable capacitypump will go out of operation as previously described when the secondunit was cut in. As the rate of inflow increases, the variable capacitypump is again started and regulated to handle the water as the rate ofinflow increases until it equals the combined full capacities of thethree units.

To take care of further increase of inflow of water, additional pumpingunits must be cut in successively, as the full capacities of the thenoperating pump units are reached. In all such cases, when an additionalpumping unit is cut in, the starting and stopping of the variablecapacity pump and its manual regulation must be repeated as itdischarges over the range from its minimum to its maximum capacities.This not only requires much manual labor and attention and subjects thepumping unit to much wear and tear, but further requires a large numberof pumping units where there is a great difference between the normalrate of inflow and t.ie maximum rate of inflow.

If, in order to reduce the number of pumping units, any of the constantcapacity pumps, for example, the second pumping unit, is of greatercapacity than the maximum capacity of the variable capacity smallpumping unit, after this larger pumping unit is placed in operation whenthe rate of inflow becomes equal to the full capacity of the variablecapacity smaller unit, the pumpage by the larger unit will exceed therate of inflow. This will not only leave no work for the small unit,which will go out of operation, but

a quantity of water greater than the rate of inflow at such time will berequired if the second larger pump unit is to continue operation untilthe rate of infiow rises to equal the capacity of this larger pumpingunit. To meet this situation a reservoir is provided. As the rate ofinflow passes the capacity of the large pump unit, the smaller variablecapacity pump is again cut in and regulated until the rate of inflowequals the full capacities of both units.

To take care of further increase in the rate of inflow, an additionalpumping unit must be out in. If this latter pumping unit is of greatercapacity than that of the variable pumping unit, the same procedure ofstopping and then starting and regulation of the variable capacitypumping unit must be repeated as in the period immediately following thecutting in of the second pumping unit. Also, the same procedure musttake place as each successive pumping unit goes into operation.

To overcome some of the disadvantages in the use of one variablecapacity pump unit with one or more constant capacity pump units, eitherequaling or exceeding the full capacity of the variable capacity pumpunit, two or more variable capacity pump units are sometimes employed.In such systems, through proper choice of the relative capacities of thevariable capacity pump units and the constant capacity pump units, theobjectionable, complete cessation of operation of the variable capacitypumps may be overcome. However, the need for constant regulation ofthese variable capacity pump units still exists. Such regulation is veryundesirable, because it is either manual regulation with its attendingdifficulties and expense or else elaborate electrical control. Thelatter necessitates more expensive and cumbersome motor equipment andentails excessive loss of power resulting from the insertion ofresistance to reduce the speed and thereby the capacity of the pump.

Among the objects of this invention is to provide a method and. meansfor pumping and disposing variable rate of inflow liquid from a conduitor channel, under the conditions heretofore described, that willovercome the disadvantages incident to the prior methods and means andto accomplish the desired results by method and means which are simple,efficient and economical, and which require a minimum amount of manualattention.

It is a further object of this invention to eliminate the necessity forreservoirs and thus dispense with the disadvantages of their use andeffect a saving in outlay for equipment and maintename.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to utilize theadvantages of operation with constant speed pump units having fixedblade impellers. An inherent characteristic of these pumps is that thecapacity of the pump decreases with increase of head, and vice versa.That is, as the level of the body of water in the suction well riseswith discharge taking place at the same elevation, the pump headdecreases and the capacity is increased because the liquid is liftedthrough lesser elevations.

Another object of this invention is to effect continuity in operation ofa plurality of pumps, served by two suction wells in series, by havingone or more of the pumps discharging from the first suction well whichoverflows into a following suction well and. another set of one or morepumping units discharging from the following suction well.

Other, further and more specific objects of this invention will becomereadily apparent to persons skilled in the art from a consideration ofthe following description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-section along line l-l of Fig. 2 of a stormwater pumping station employing two centrifugal pumps.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section along line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section along line 4-4 of Fig. 5 of a stormwater pumping station employing three propeller pumps.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through a storm water pumping stationillustrating diagrammatically a modified means for separating the wellsof the pumping station.

Figs. 8 and 9 are schematic views in plan, showing the use of two pumpwells of particular design in the practice of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section through a pumping station illustratingdiagrammatically the use of three wells.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 and illustrating diagrammaticallythe use of five wells having a single pump in each well.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section through a pumping station illustratingdiagrammatically the use of two pumps in one of the wells and threepumps in the other well.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 9 and illustrating diagrammaticallythe use of three wells, the liquid from two of which flows over into theother well.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view in plan, showingthe use of three pump wellsof particular design, the liquid from two of which flows into the otherwell.

In the pumping station illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the water from aconduit, such as the sewer 2 provided with the flap or sluice gate 4(closed during times of pumping), passes into a first well 6 and as thelevel of the liquid rises it flows over the Weir 8 into the followingwell 10. In order to keep out debris from the wells, a screen or barrack I2 or other suitable means is provided. A centrifugal pump l4discharges water from well 4 and another centrifugal pump l6 likewiseserves well It]. This pump I6 is operated by its motor I8 through theshaft 20 and the liquid is discharged through the outlet conduit 22 to ariver or other suitable place. The pump I 4 is similarly operated by itsmotor and the connecting shaft (not shown). The pump H draws liquidthrough the inlet pipe 24, preferably extending to the bottom of thewell 6, while t1 pump I6 is similarly served by the pipe 26 extending tothe bottom of the well It].

The pump I6 is regulated to start pumping water from the well I0 whenthe water level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by the line28, and to continue pumping as long as the water level stays aboveanother definite lower level, for example, such as indicated by the line30.

The pump I4 is regulated to start pumping water from the well 6 when thewater level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by line 32, andto continue pumping as long as the water level stays above anotherdefinite lower level, for example, such as indicated by the line 34.

Each of these pumps l4 and 16 have a specific pumpage for a rated heador a given lift. For example, if line 35 represents the elevation towhich the water is to be raised by a given pump for discharge, there isa definite elevation, for example line 36 in Fig. 2, from which levelwater raised by such pump to the discharge elevation 35 will bedischarged at the specific pumpage for the rated head. The verticaldistance AB between lines 35 and 36 is the rated head. As the waterlevel rises from the level 36 to the level 35 the distance through whichthe water must be raised by the pump decreases and the pumpage increasescorrespondingly, exceeding the specific pumpage for the rated head.

If the water in the well In is at a level below line 36, as is the casebefore the water rises to the level 36 or after the water level recedesbelow line 36, the lift or distance through which the water must beraised by the pump is greater than AB and the pumpage will be less thanthe specific pumpage for the rated head. As the pumpage decreases withincrease of lift, a level is reached at which the pumpage reaches thevanishing point, such as line 31 in Fig. 2, commonly known as shut-offpoint; The vertical distance BC between lines 36 and 31 is the draw-downof the pump.

The pump characteristic graphs for pumps, such as pumpsmlfidfil ji s,plotted with lift as ordinates and pumpage as abscissae have been shownby experiment to be curves rather than straight lines, the contours andabruptness of the curves depending upon the inherent characteristics ofthe pumping unit.

Each of these pumps may be regulated or adjusted by suitable means,suchas the fioat switch 38,, to, start pumping,whenjheiwater rises toany desired level between the lines 31 and 35 andhby other suitablemeans, such as the fioatswitch 39, to discontinue pumping when the waterrecedes to any desired level between lines 31 and 35.

These pumps operate at constant speed. If it is desired to maintain anarrow range of pumpage, a pump should be employed having a pumpcharacteristic curve which is steep or abrupt, thus providing littlerise or fall in pumpage with rise or fall, respectively, of the waterlevel in the well wherein the pump operates. Likewise, if it is desiredto maintain a wide range of pumpage, a pump should be employed having apump characteristic curve which is not steep, thereby providing largerise orfall in pumpage with rise or fall, respectively, of the waterlevel in the well wherein the pump operates.

The present invention may be practiced with pumps of the same type pumpcharacteristic curve for wide range as well as narrow range of pumpagewhere portions of such curve are less abrupt than other portions. Iiwide range of pumpage is desired, such pumps are regulated to be inoperation only for the conditions where the curve shows wide variationof pumpage with variation in head. Similarly, if narrow range ofpiunpage is desired, such pumps are regulated to be in operation onlyfor the conditions where the curve shows narrow variation in pumpagewith variation in head.

As the water from the well 6 passes over the weir 8 into the well Illand rises to the level 26, the pump l6 will begin to pump water fromthis well If]. If the rate of inflow from the sewer into the well 6exceeds the rate of pumpage from sLAH'cH ROOM the well ill, the water inthis well III will rise and, whenthe water level passes the level of theweir 8, the water in both wells will rise until the level 32 is reached,at which time the pump M will begin to withdraw water from the well 6.Once 5 this pump I4 is started, it will continue in operation until thewater level recedes to the line 34. Also, the discharge by the pump [6will continue until the water level in well ill recedes to the line 30.10

If we assume, for example, that the water level in well I0 is rising,the pumpage from the well III will rise when the pump l6 starts andgradually climb until the pump I 4 begins to operate when the waterlevel reaches line 32. Pumpage will 15 correspond during the interval tothe level of water in the well It]. This will cause the discharge toincrease as the total pumping head decreases.

With the pump ll also in operation, both 20 pumps operatingsimultaneously will draw down the level of the water in well I6 due to areduced overflow from well 6 until a balance between infiow and theircombined discharge is reached. With a further continuous increase in therate of inflow, the level of the water will again rise and the deliveryof the pumps will keep pace with the inflow until the water level risesto the elevation where the combined discharge of both pumps reachestheir maximum capacity.

For the best practical results, pump I4 and its range of operationshould be selected to give a narrow range of pumpage around the level itis cut in; i. e. little rise or fall in pumpage with rise or fall,respectively, of the water level in well 35 6, but pump l6 and its rangeof operation should be selected to give a wide range of pumpage aroundthe level it is cut in; i. e. a wide rise or fall in pumpage with riseor fall, respectively, of the water level in well It]. 40

The pump I! will continue to discharge water as long as the water levelin well 6 is above the line 34. The pump l6 will continue to dischargewater as long as the water level in well III is above the line 30.

To avoid total cessation of fiow at times of equalization when the pumpI4 is cut in, one or more orifices 40 of limited size are provided topermit the desired minimum infiow of water from the well 6 to the wellI0. 50

The bottom of the well 6 should be preferably elevated above thedry-weather depth of flow in the sewer 2. It is also desirable in someinstances, to provide a small sump pump (not shown) in well III, to keepit drained during periods of no 55 flood.

In the pumping station illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, the water from aconduit, such as the sewer ll provided with the fiap or sluice gate 42(closed during time of pumping), passes into a first well so 44 and asthe level of the water rises it flows over the weir 46 into thefollowing well 46. This station is provided with the screen 50. Apropeller pump 52 operated by its motor 5| is disposed within the welland other propeller pumps 56 and 53 operated by their respective motors60 and 62 are disposed in well 46. These impeller pumps 52, 56 and 53have their inlets near the bottoms of their respective wells and theliquid drawn by these pumps is discharged through suitable outlets, suchas the conduit 6| connected to pump 58.

The pump 56 is regulated to start pumping water from the well 48 whenthe water level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by 15 theline 66, and to continue pumping as long as the water level stays aboveanother definite lower level, for example, such as indicated by the line68. The pump 56 is regulated to start pumping water from the well 48when the water level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by theline I0, and to continue pumping as long as the water level stays aboveanother definite lower level, for example, such as indicated by the lineI2. The pump 52 is regulated to start pumping water from the well 44when the water level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by theline 74, and to continue pumping as long as the water level stays aboveanother definite lower level, for example, such as indicated by the line16.

Each of these pumps 52, 56 and 58 have a specific pumpage for a ratedhead or a given lift, similar to those of the centrifugal pumps I4 andI6 in Figs. 1 to 3. For the best practical results, pumps 52 and 56 andtheir respective ranges of operation should be selected to give narrowranges of pumpage around the respective levels they are cut in; i. e.little rise or fall in pumpage with rise or fall, respectively, of thewater level in their respective wells, but pump 58 and its range ofoperation should be selected to give a Wide range of pumpage around thelevel it is cut in; i. e. a wide rise or fall in pumpage with rise orfall, respectively, of the water level in well 48.

As the water from the well 44 passes over the weir 46 into the well 48and rises to the level 66, the pump 58 will begin to pump water fromthis well 48. If the rate of overflow into well 48 exceeds the rate ofpumpage from the well 48, the water in this well 48 will rise and, whenthe water level rises to the level I0, the pump 56 will also begin towithdraw water from the well 48.

If now the rate of inflow from the sewer 4| into the well 44 exceeds therate of combined discharge of the pumps 56 and 58, the water level willrise and, when the water level reaches the elevation designated by theline I4, pump 52 will begin to withdraw water from the well 44. Oncepump 58 is started, it will continue in operation until the water levelrecedes to the line 68. Likewise, the discharge by the pump 56 willcontinue until the water level recedes to the line I2, while thedischarge by the pump 52 will continue until the water level recedes tothe line I6.

When the water level in well 48 is rising, the pumpage from Well 48 willrise when the pump 58 starts and gradually climb until pump 56 begins tooperate when the water level reaches line I0. Pumpage will correspondduring the interval to the level of water in the well 48. This willcause the discharge to increase as the total pumping head decreases.With the pump 56 also in operation, both pumps operating simultaneouslywill draw down the level of the water in well 48 until a balance betweenoverfiow into well 48 and their combined discharge is reached. With afurther continuous increase in the rate of inflow, the level of thewater will again rise and delivery of the pumps 56 and 58 will keep pacewith the inflow until the water level rises above the weir 46.

As the water level rises further and reaches the line I4, pump 52 willbegin to operate. With all 3 pumps operating simultaneously, the levelof the water will be drawn down until a balance between inflow and theircombined discharge is reached. With a continuous increase in the rate ofinflow, the level of the water will again rise and the delivery of thepumps will keep pace with the inflow until the water level rises to theelevation where the combined discharge of the 3 pumps reaches theirmaximum capacity.

The pump 52 will continue to discharge water as long as the water levelin well 44 is above the line I6, the pump 56 will continue to dischargewater as long as the water level in well 48 is above the line I2, andthe pump 58 will continue to discharge water from the well 48 as long asthe water level in the well 48 is above the line 68.

One or more orifices 18, of limited size, may also be provided to permitthe minimum inflow of water from the well 44 to the well 48.

The constructions shown in Figs. 1 to 6 represent pumping stationsparticularly adapted for handling storm water. The pumps are preferablyprovided with independent discharge pipes with outlets near the top ofthe river slope of the flood protection levee. If desired, however,

the outlets from several pumps may enter a larger 20 manifold outlet,preferably provided with a suitable discharge weir (not shown) for eachpump. These constructions dispense with the need for large check valves,gate valves or flap valves in the individual discharge pipes. The pumpsmay be operated with a more stable discharge than the mechanismheretofore employed and against a constant discharge elevation. Theconstructions here shown may be operated with a minimum of labor andwithout the need of added reservoir capacity.

If desired, suitable super structure 80 may be provided at thesestations. The specific construction of the float or other means forplacing the pumps into and out of action form no part of this invention.Any of the many eflicient devices on the market for such purposes may beemployed.

When repairs are needed, the propeller pumps of Figs. 4 to 6 may belifted from their casings. If centrifugal pumps, such as shown in Figs.1 to 3, are used, it will be found convenient to provide valves 8| topermit shut off of the pump from the well in case of repairs.

An alternative means is to substitute stop planks for the screen andthus shut off the station in time of repair or discontinuance.

In the modification of the present invention shown in Fig. '7, the wall82 between the wells 84 and 86 and having the weir 88 extends above theweir, as shown at 90. In this construction, the water from well 84 canonly pass to the well 86 through the weir 88 and the lower orifice 92.

In the modification shown in Fig. 10, a first well 94, a first followingwell 96 and a succeeding following well 98 are provided. Water flowsfrom the well 94 over the weir I00 into the well 96 from which it flowsover the weir I02 into well 98. Each of these wells may be served by oneor more pumps of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

In the modification shown in Fig. 11, a first well I04 and a series ofsuccessive following wells I06, I08, H0 and H2 are provided. Water fromwell I04 flows over the weir II4 to well I06 from which Water flows overthe weir II 6 into well I 08. From this well I08 water flows over theweir I I8 into well I I0. From well II 0 water flows over the weir I20into well II 2. Each of these wells I04, I06, I08, H0 and H2 are servedby one or more pumps of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 6. In the operationof multiple-well stations having 3 or more wells, such as shown in Figs.10 and 11, the pumps of the last of the series of following wells beginto operate first and the pumps of the next adjacent wells are cut insuccessively as the water level rises to the predetermined heights forwhich each successive pump is set to begin operation.

For the best practical results, the pump first to begin discharging fromthe last of the series of following wells and its range of operationshould be selected to give a wide range of pumpage around the level itis cut in; i. e. a wide rise or fall in pumpage with rise or fall,respectively of the water in its well. The pumps, beginning operation athigher water level than said first pump, and their respective ranges ofoperation should be selected to give narrow ranges of pumpage around therespective levels they are cut in; i. e. little rise or fall in pumpagewith rise or fall, respectively, of the water level in their respectivewells.

In some instances, particularly where more than one pump is employed forthe following well of a double-well construction or for the last of theseries of following wells in a multiplewell construction, it may beadvantageous to have the pump, beginning operation second to the firstpump starting operation, of a wider range of pumpage than those of thepumps which are cut in at a higher water level. The range of pumpage ofsuch pump, second in operation, may in such instances be as wide as thatof the pump, first in operation, or of a range intermediate between saidwide range and the narrower range or ranges of the other pump or pumps.

By having the one or two (in special cases) pumps of wider range ofpumpage for the following well of double-well construction and for thelast of the series of following wells of multiple-well construction,whatever rapid and wide variation in water level occurs in the system,when a pump is cut in, is confined to one well. The water levels in theother wells suffer little or no recession while the rate of inflow intothe first well is increasing.

In multiple-well stations, the wells may be arranged in open or closedline or chain of contour and design to meet the needs and fancy of theuser.

The bottom of the wells may be below, even with or above that of thesewer or other conduit supplying water thereto. With respect to eachother, the bottoms of the individual wells may be at the same ordifferent levels. If the bottom is at a lower level, the water level atwhich the pump may be regulated to go out of action can be lowered. Thishas been found advantageous in some instances for the well served by apump of wide range of pumpage.

In using this invention for handling flood waters from a conduit, suchas a sewer, the top of the weir over which water fiows from the firstwell is preferably placed at about the same elevation as the top of thesewer. With no fiood, the sewer can flow to the river to as much as thefull sewer capacity, without filling the first well. When the flap orsluice gate on the sewer outlet to the river closes (as is the case whenthe river rises above the mouth of the sewer), storm water and sewagewill be backed up to the weir elevation and will overflow into the firstwell, from which the water overflows to the one or more following wells,as heretofore described.

In the modification of pump station illustrated in Fig. 12, the waterfrom the conduit or sewer I22 passes into a first well I24, and as thelevel of the water rises it flows over the weir I28 intQ SEARCH ROOI thefollowing well I28. This station is provided with the screen I30. Threepumps I32, I34 and I38 discharge from well I24 and two pumps I38 and I40discharge from well I28. These pumps may be of the centrifugal typeshown in Figs. 1 to 3 or the propeller ty'pe shown in Figs. 4 to 6.These pumps have their inlets near the bottoms of their respective wellsand the liquid withdrawn by these pumps is discharged through suitableoutlets (not shown).

The pump I40 is regulated to start pumping water from the well I 28 whenthe water level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by the lineI42, and to continue pumping as long as the water level stays aboveanother definite lower level, for example, such as indicated by the lineI44. The pump I38 is regulated to start pumping water from the well I28when the water level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by theline I48, and to continue pumping as long as the water level stays aboveanother definite lower level, for example, such as indicated by the lineI48. The pump I32 is regulated to start pumping water from the well I24when the water level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by theline I50 and to continue pumping as long as the water level stays aboveanother definite lower level, for example, such as indicated by the lineI52. The pump I34 is regulated to start pumping water from the well I24when the water level reaches a definite height, such as indicated by theline I 54, and to continue pumping as long as the water level staysabove another definite lower level, for example, such as indicated bythe line I58. The pump I38 is regulated to start pumping water from thewell I24, when the water level reaches a definite height, such asindicated by the line I58, and to continue pumping as long as the waterlevel stays above another definite lower level, for example, such asindi cated by the line I80.

Each of these pumps I32, I34, I38, I38 and I40 have a specific pumpagefor a rated head or a given lift similar to the pumps shown in Figs. 1to 6. For the best practical results, pumps I32, I34 and I38, and theirrespective ranges of operation should be selected to give narrow rangesof pumpage around the respective levels they are cut in; i. e. littlerise or fall in pumpage with rise or fall, respectively, of the waterlevel in well I24. Pump I40 and its range of operation should beselected to give a wide range of pumpage around the level it is cut in;i. e. a wide rise or fall in pumpage with rise or fall, respectively, ofthe water level in well I28. The range of pumpage of pump I38 at thelevel it is cut in may be either narrow like pumps I32, I34 and I38 inwell I24, wide like pump I40 or intermediate between said narrow rangesand said wide range.

As the water rises in wells I24 and I28 and the pumps successively beginoperatingas heretofore described, the temporary readjustment of thelevel of the water in the wells I24 and I28 takes place in a mannersimilar to that described in the station shown in Figs. 4 to 6. As eachof the pumps I38, I38, I34 and I32 are cut in successively, the level ofwater in well I 28 is drawn down until a balance between inflow and thecombined discharge of the pumps in operation is reached. If the inflowinto well I24 is on the increase, the water level in well I-24 willundergo little or no recession or rise while a balance between infiowand the combined discharge of the pumps in operation is being reached.

Once started, pump I40 will continue to discharge water until the waterlevel in well I28 reaches the line I44, pump I38 will continue todischarge water until the water level in well I28 reaches the line I48,pump I32 will continue to discharge water from the well I24 until thewater level in the latter well reaches the line I52, pump I34 willcontinue to discharge water from the well I24 until the water level inthe latter well reaches the line I56 and pump I36 will continue todischarge water from the well I 24 until the water level in well I24reaches the line I60.

One or more orifices I62 of limited size may also be provided to permitthe minimum inflow of water from the well I24 to the well I28. Thebottom I63 of the well I24 is shown sloping upward from the sewer I22 tothe wall having the weir I26. This allows the water to drain back intothe sewer when the pumpage ceases.

In the modification shown in Fig. 13, the water from the conduit orsewer I 64 passes into the two first wells I66 and I68. Each of thesetwo wells I66 and I68 may be connected to receive the water direct fromthe sewer I64 or, if desired, one of these wells, for example well I66,may receive the water from the sewer I64 and deliver the water to thewell I68 by suitable connection (not shown) permitting a free flow ofwater between these wells. As the water levels in the wells I66 and I68rise, the rising water will travel over the weirs I and I12 into afollowing well I14. Each of these wells I66, I68 and I14 may be servedby one or more pumps of the type disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 14, the schematic views show the adaptation of thepresent invention to stations of circular section. If desired, aplurality of pumps may be employed for one or more of the wells in lieuof a single pump.

In Fig. 8, the first well I16 and following well I18 are seml-circularand separated by the wall I80 provided with a suitable weir.

In Fig. 9, the first well I82 surrounds the following well I84,separated therefrom by the wall I86 provided with a suitable weir.

In Fig. 14, the following well I88 is surrounded by the first wells I90and I92 and separated therefrom by the walls I94 and I96, respectively.These walls I94 and I96 are provided with suitable weirs. The wells I90and I92 are separated from each other by the walls I98 and 200. Each ofthe wells I90 and I92 may be connected to receive the water direct fromthe sewer or other source of supply, or, if desired, one of these wells,for example, well I90, may receive the water from the sewer or othersource and deliver the water to Well I92 by suitable connection (notshown) permitting a free fiow of liquid between these wells.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that in practicing the presentinvention, adequate facilities are provided for handling water ofvarying rate of inflow from the minimum capacity output of the firstpumping unit put in operation in any of the following wells to themaximum pumpage when all of the pumping units at any station operatesimultaneously and at full capacity. This is accomplished with a minimumof manual labor and without cessation of pumping by any of the pumpingunits, once they are cut in, during the increase in the rate of inflowof water into the station. It is only when the water level recedes inthe station, as when a flood subsides, that-the pumps are successivelyand automatically put put of operation.

It will be seen that the present invention is applicable to stationswherein each well is pumped by a single pumping unit as well as whereinone or more of the wells are served by a plurality of pumping units. Thepumping units which are cut in subsequent to the first pump unit may befor less pumpage, the same pumpage or greater pumpage than the pumpageof the said first pump unit at the time of said out in. A rapid step-upin the pumpage may be accomplished with a fewer number of units (bycutting in pump units of greater pumpage than the pumpage by said firstpump unit at the time of said out in) than by the methods and meansheretofore employed. The capacity of any larger capacity pump at the cutin elevation should not exceed the combined discharge at such level ofall the pumps in the well served by the pump first going into operation.These advantages are secured without the attending disadvantagesincident to the prior methods and means heretofore described. By thepresent invention, no reservoir is needed, thereby avoiding thedisadvantages commonly associated with reservoirs, such as thesedimentation of organic solids resulting in the accumulation ofputrescible sludge.

The present invention is not limited to the specific details set forthin the foregoing examples which should be construed as illustrative andnot by way of limitation, and in view of the numerous modificationswhich may be effected therein without departing from the spirit andscope of this invention, it is desired that only such limitations beimposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, 9.first well adapted to receive liquid from said conduit; a followingwell? adapted to receive overflow liquid from said first well, a pumpingunit for said following well, means for starting operation of saidpumping unit when the liquid level in said following well rises to anintermediate level between the elevation of the bottom of said followingwell and said overflow level, a second pumping unit for said first welland means for starting operation of said second pumping unit when theliquid level in said first well rises to a predetermined level abovesaid overflow level.

2. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, afirst well adapted to receive liquid from said conduit, a following welladapted to receive overflow liquid from said first well, a pumping unitfor said following well, means for starting operation of said pumpingunit when the liquid level in said following well rises to apredetermined level, a second pumping unit for said first well and meansfor starting operation of said second pumping unit when the liquid levelin said first well rises to another predetermined level, each of saidpumping units having means for increasing the pumpage from itsrespective well with the rise of liquid level therein and for decreasingthe pumpage from its respective well with the lowering of the liquidlevel therein.

3. In a system for disposing variable infiow liquid from a conduit asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the pumpage by the pumping unit of thefollowing well has a greater rise and fall per unit rise or fall,respectively, of liquid level in said following well than the rise orfall in pumpage by the pumping unit of the first well per unit firstwell.

4. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the pumpage by the pumping unit of thefollowing well has a greater rise and fall per unit rise or fall,respectively, of liquid level in said following well than the rise orfall in pumpage by the pumping unit of the first well per unit rise orfall, respectively, of liquid level in said first well and wherein thepumpage by the pumping unit of the first well at the time said pumpingunit for the first well is started does not exceed the pumpage at suchtime of the pumping unit of the following well.

5. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, afirst well adapted to receive liquid from said conduit, a following welladapted to receive overflow liquid from said first well, a wall betweensaid wells and having a weir for regulating the level of overflow fromthe first well to the following well, an orifice through said wall belowsaid overflow level, a pumping unit for said following well, means forstarting operation of said pumping unit when the liquid level in saidfollowing well rises to a predetermined level, a second pumping unit forsaid first well and means for starting operation of said second pumpingunit when the liquid level in said first Well rises to anotherpredetermined level, each of said pumping units being of constant speedand having means for increasing the pumpage from its respective wellwith rise of liquid level therein and for decreasing the pumpage fromits respective well with the lowering of the liquid level therein.

6. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the pumpage by the pumping unit of thefollowing well has a greater rise and fall per unit rise or fall,respectively, of liquid level in said following well than the rise orfall in pumpage by the pumping unit of the first well per unit rise orfall, respectively, of liquid level in said first well, and wherein thepumpage by the pumping unit of the first well at the time said pumpingunit for the first well is started does not exceed the pumpage at suchtime of the pumping unit of the following well.

7. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, afirst well adapted to receive liquid from said conduit and having a basewith an upward slope from said conduit to a wall, a following well onthe other side of said wall adapted to receive overflow liquid from saidfirst well, said wall serving as separating means between said wells andhaving a weir for regulating the level of overflow from the first wellto the following well, an orifice through said wall below said overflowlevel, a pumping unit for said following well, means for startingoperation of said pumping unit when the liquid level in said followingwell rises to a predetermined level, a second pumping unit for saidfirst well and means for starting operation of said second pumping unitwhen the liquid level in said first well rises to another predeterminedlevel, each of said pumping units being of constant speed and havingmeans for increasing the pumpage from its respective well with rise ofliquid level therein and for decreasing the pumpage from its respectivewell with the lowering of the liquid level therein.

8. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, afirst Well adapted to receive liquid from said conduit, a following welladapted to receive overflow liquid from said first well, a plurality ofpumping units for said following well, means for starting operation ofsaid pumping units when the liquid within said following well rises topredetermined levels corresponding to each pumping unit, a pumping unitfor said first well, means for starting operation of said latter pumpingunit when the liquid level in said first well rises to anotherpredetermined level, each of said pumping units being of constant speedand having means for increasing the pumpage from its respective wellwith rise of liquid level therein and for decreasing the pumpage fromits respective well with the lowering of the liquid level therein.

9. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, afirst well adapted to receive liquid from said conduit, a following welladapted to receive overflow liquid from said first well, a pumping unitfor said following well, means for starting operation of said pumpingunit when the liquid level in said following well rises to apredetermined level, a plurality of pumping units for said first well,means for starting operation of said latter pumping units when theliquid within said first Well rises to predetermined levelscorresponding to each of said latter pumping units, each of said pumpingunits being of constant speed and having means for increasing thepumpage from its respective well with rise of liquid level therein andfor decreasing the pumpage from its respective well with the lowering ofthe liquid level therein.

10. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, afirst well adapted to receive liquid from said conduit, a following welladapted to receive overflow liquid from said first well, a plurality ofpumping units for said following well, means for starting operation ofsaid pumping units when the liquid within said following well rises topredetermined levels corresponding to each pumping unit, anotherplurality of pumping units for said first well, means for startingoperation of said latter pumping units when the liquid within said firstwell rises to predetermined levels corresponding to each of said latterpumping units, each of said pumping units being of constant speed andhaving means for increasing the pumpage from its respective well withrise of liquid level therein and for decreasing the pumpage from itsrespective well with the lowering of the liquid level therein.

11. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the pumpage by a pumping unit of thefollowing well has a greater rise and fall per unit rise or fall,respectively, of liquid level in said following well than the rise orfall in pumpage by each of the pumping units of' the first well per unitrise or fall, respectively, of liquid level in said first well, andwherein the pumpage by the pumping units of the first well at the timeeach of said pumping units of the first well is started does not exceedthe pumpage at such time of all of the pumping units of the followingwell.

12. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, aplurality of first wells, a following well adapted to receive overflowliquid from said first wells, a pumping unit for said following well,means for starting operation of said pumping unit when the liquid levelin said following well rises to a predetermined level, a pumping unitfor each of said first wells, means for starting operation of saidlatter pumping units when the liquid level in said first well rises topredetermined level for each of said latter pumping units, each of saidpumping units being of constant speed and having means for increasingthe pumpage from its respective well with rise of liquid level thereinand for decreasing the pumpage from its respective well with thelowering of the liquid level therein.

13. In a system for disposing variable inflow liquid from a conduit, afirst well, a plurality of following wells in series with said firstwell, one of said following wells being adapted to receive overflowliquid from said first well and to deliver its overflow liquid to thenext following well, a separate pumping unit for each of said wells,means for starting operation of each pumping unit when the liquid withinthe well served by the pumping unit rises to the predetermined levelcorresponding to each pumping unit, each of said pumping units being ofconstant speed and having means for increasing the pumpage from itsrespective well with rise of liquid level therein and for decreasing thepumpage from its respective well with the lowering of the liquid leveltherein, the pumpage by a pumping unit of the last of the series offollowing wells having a greater rise and fall per unit rise or fall,respectively, of liquid level in said last well of the series than therise or fall in pumpage by each of the pumping units of the other wellsper unit rise or 10 fall, respectively, of liquid level in said otherwells, and the pumpage of liquid from the last of the series offollowing wells at the time each pumping unit of said other wells is cutin being at least equal to the pumpage by each pumping 15 unit of theother wells at the time of such cut in. ROBERT T. REGESTER.

